About a month ago, I was asked to facilitate a support group specifically geared towards those suffering with bowel disorders. This group is the first of its kind in my area and I am humbled and honored that I was chosen to lead this gathering of individuals with similar issues. Honestly, even with the outreach to individuals telling them about this group, I was hesitant to think that we may have a large turnout to this type of meeting. It is an unfortunate truth that many individuals afflicted with bowel disorders remain silent…not because they necessarily want to, but more because society stigmatizes the ability to talk freely about issues such as these.

With great pride, I am pleased to announce that between 15 and 20 individuals showed at the first meeting. Brave individuals who summoned the courage to share their stories, listen with an open heart and mind to others, and work with me to shape future gatherings into meetings that are both productive and encouraging. I am truly blessed that I have been given the opportunity to facilitate these meetings. I am excited about the possibilities of shattering societal stigma, beginning with the small group dynamic, and spreading out into the general public by raising awareness of these very personal issues.

My bike seat for land will be arriving at my house shortly, like, this week. Glorious! I can’t wait to strap my ham hocks onto the seat that is created to protect my tender pelvic floor. I hope it works, fingers crossed! If you are so inclined, feel free to read my earlier post about biking. I also hope that our weather cooperates. I don’t know how it’s been where you live, but we have hit mid 70’s one day, snowstorm the next. Wacky!

One place I do not need to worry about biking in the elements is the gym. I’d like to be very clear, I’m not talking about “the spin class.” I tried that, once, before I had my daughter. I couldn’t walk, for days! Hmmm, bikes at the gym, that aren’t in a land spin class? Where are said bikes I speak of? In the water of course!

Hydro-biking is an amazing workout for those with pelvic floor damage. The hydro-bike allows you to “spin” and workout with limited pressure on your pelvic area. It is an awesome resource that I am very lucky to be able to use at the weekly hydro-bike class at the gym. Kudos to my gym for trying something new.

So, for someone who was told they would never ride a bike again, I say, I CAN and I AM bike riding! (with modifications).

Hey, you know that sound that happens when you scan an item for a price check? That BEEP! That’s the sound that occurs when I swipe my external remote across my Interstim incision site to turn it up or turn it down. I’m not going to lie, it’s really cool.

What’s slightly less cool, ok, not cool at all, is the reminder that the BEEP sound generates about money. Don’t get me wrong, I truly would pay any amount of money to get better, I think anyone would. What I am saying is that the staggering amount that one pays to get better from mental illness and fecal incontinence is amazing (and I have pretty good insurance!)

Let me give you the break down:

Copays-$50.00 per time. (OBGYN, PT, Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Rectal Surgeon, General Practitioner, Gastroenterologist, Hospital Stays, Testing) multiply this by 3 years of visits, some of them weekly, some monthly

Medicines-Varies depending on what it is

Out of Network Psychological Specialized Help-$130.00/hour (EMDR specialist) multiply this by 2 hours a week times a year and a half

Massage-$70.00/hour (I would love to do this more, but let’s say once every couple of months)

I don’t even want to do the math…..Let’s just say our nest egg is gone and we live on a very tight budget. But, it’s worth it when I see the results of my health continuing to get better. As I said before, I have a very understanding and supportive husband who is in agreement that money isn’t everything, happiness and good health are. Do I want a price check? Not really. But let me tell you, sometimes it is satisfying to hear that beep and know that I am well on my way to a better me!